Abiotic Oil a Theory Worth Exploring

Reader Comments

Back to blog

Right now the earth is creating massive amounts of hydrocarbons, and is currently going through a phase of rapid expansion. It's not just earth it's every planet in our solar system, some of which also contain massive quantities of hydrocarbons on their surface, and in complete absence of life. The fossil fuel theory can not account for the overwhelming majority of hydrocarbons found on earth.

Chuck of OK 6:56PM March 14, 2013

This hypothesis (not going to dignify it with the term theory) is universally rejected by geologists and other scientists working in the oil discovery field. In any event, lets assume for a moment that this theory has a grain of truth, how quickly can these oil wells that were once sucked dry be replenished? In other words, what is the throughput of oil from the assumed deep earth reserves, and can that throughput seeping up through the cracks of the earth keep up with the worlds growing 80+ million barrels of oil per day demand? (Peak oil is not directly about running out of oil, but the peak of production AND when demand for oil exceeds world production capacity.) Why haven't the wells in Northwest Pennsylvania and places like McCamey, Texas roared back to life? Why are we digging up the tar sands and drilling in miles of deep water to get at oil under the continental shelf if the easy wells on dry land are just going to magically replenish themselves? This also doesn't address issues such as overpopulation, pollution, climate change, world food production, fresh water depletion, plus economic and political issues that threaten our existence. So, if someone is trying to say, "Everything will be OK. Go back to sleep!" don't believe them!

Will of PA 11:17AM March 11, 2013

There's a book about oil as a renewable resource and oil being abiotic. Interesting stuff if it's true.

http://www.oilrenewables.com

Leah of NY 10:30AM November 02, 2012

Science and the oil industry has known of abiotic oil for decades, but in a capitalistic society,demand drives prices and profits, so the myth of scarcity was perpetuated even tho it had been debunked. That doesn't mean that with the realization that certain oil fields are renewed from deep within the Earth's core we can be profligate with our natural resources. We've simply bought a little time to invest in and develop clean alternative energy sources, like solar wind and one day, perhaps tidal power.

The other concern that I can't seem to shake as relates to oil, fossil or abiotic (will leave that to the experts to argue) is the gnawing sense that with continued drilling, fracking and other disruptions of Earth's mantle, we are wreaking tectonic havoc that may have long range cataclismic result. Must lookfor research on such a theory.

Cynthia of FL 12:02PM October 14, 2012

my thought once the earth began to cool on the outside the inside still could burn so our fuel has been around before animal or plants. we may be yousing fuel that fuels our earths core know we should be carefull. we should be more interested in renewable energy

donald r williams of MA 12:12PM October 08, 2012

Peak oil is merely a fear tactic put out by big oil/OPEC and the greenies. It's a myth and one that continues to scare us into believing that oil is quickly becoming scarce. The west needs to get out of OPEC and use its own resources.

Jack 9:10AM September 03, 2012

typical for the oil-people to disconnect their lifeblood from the living-world. oil and the people who control it aren't subject to the limitations of living mortals. but i know abiotic oil is just another false reason to keep developing oil fully knowing that millions of people die yearly not from mideast wars, but from smog. smog & war take more lives than cigarettes and alcohol combined. thrown in automobile accidents, and you have satan right here inside of and on top of this earth.

Me of KY 1:09PM August 27, 2012

The earth overall has a remarkable ability to replenish most materials that mankind has found useful and productive. When wildfires and volcanoes destroy thousands of acres of forest, in a few short years, they are well on their way to re-growth.

Reproduction is a constant in most of nature. Given the right conditions, plant, animal, water, soil, and chemical resources are replenished. Even the air we breath is a byproduct of photosynthesis. Convenient for us, yes?

My point is, abiotic oil production makes complete sense when you look at the rest of the natural world and it's cycles. I'm willing to study it further.....

Duddio of NV 5:05PM August 18, 2012

Chaucer's Ghost - "The problem is the conditions on these worlds are wildly different and there is little evidence to show that the same process is going on inside the Earth. "

Sorry, your logic does not hold. You and I cannot for say for sure that (any) conditions are the same or different (between Titan and Earth) - save for the obvious atmospheric conditions. Therefore, you have no basis for saying that abiotic oil is "wishful thinking". It is MORE likely that abiotic oil is real than not real. Here is the reason why: Saturn's moon Titan and the Earth are from the SAME solar system. If there is evidence that shows that abiotic oil is real and probable, the only explanation for nay-saying is fear mongering and supporting the oil producers tactics of "peak oil" and the "global warmists" in order to maximize profits and control.

Bill Procopio of CA 10:15PM July 08, 2012

No amount of wishful thinking and magical explanations will cause petroleum to spring into existence from nothing. The abiogenic oil proponents are literally selling snake oil. There is no compelling evidence that any profitable wells in use today originated from abiogenic sources.

That doesn't mean hydrocarbon products can't form in the absence of organic material, as Saturn's moon Titan and the atmospheres of the gaseous giant planets have shown is possible. The problem is the conditions on these worlds are wildly different and there is little evidence to show that the same process is going on inside the Earth.

After all, you'd think that the clever scientists working for oil companies, who stand to gain the most from pushing abiogenic oil theory would be the ones pushing it, yet they're not. And that's because they understand geological science and organic chemistry.

Even the Soviets, who originally proposed the idea all but abandoned the idea after it failed time and time again to predict the location of wells.

In conclusion, please stop making those of us who are pro-fossil fuel and share a passion for laissez-faire economics look like a bunch of scientifically illiterate crackpots. I know that the populists nowadays do everything they can to validate the feelings of their constituents no matter how out there they are, but objective inquiry isn't about feelings.

chaucer's ghost of TX 1:40PM July 07, 2012

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

On Energy

Perspectives from all sides of the burning energy issues of the day. Follow it on Twitter @USNewsOnEnergy

advertisement

Economic Intelligence

What Apple Gets Wrong About Taxes

Apple's CEO is pushing for a big tax giveaway to already hugely profitable companies.

Latest Videos

advertisement